Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
Understanding Weariness
This is such a familiar term. We all have experienced extreme tiredness. Usually, we can not pinpoint the major cause of our weariness. It’s not an event or a decision. Rather it is a result of many complexities all put together; bodily failings, emotional heartbreaks and the consequences of sin. The great invitation of Jesus is directed to those who are weary. Due to the complexity of the burdens we have, there is no one size fits all prescription.
Zacchaeus was a tax collector (Luke 19:10). A very dishonest tax collector. When he heard that Jesus was passing through the town he climbed a sycamore tree in order to see him. Being a little man this was the only way he could get a glimpse of the Lord. Jesus then called him to himself and lifted the burden of his guilt and shame. It was as if Jesus made this same invitation to him “Zacheus you are weary and burdened, come to me and I will give you rest.”
Come to Me
The simplicity of Jesus’ instruction is not only surprising but also refreshing. A tired man may not be able to go through “10 steps of restoration” or going through different stages of a path to peace as Buddha taught. You would expect due to the complexity of the problems that the solution offered would be as complex. But uniquely to Jesus, He gives himself as the solution to every problem that man has.
A prominent wealthy man came to Jesus and asked what he needed to do to make heaven. To himself and the standards of the world, he was a perfect follower of the law of Moses (Matthew 19:16-25). And after confirming that Jesus gave him the last thing to fulfil. Jesus then told him to sell all his possessions and follow Him, but to that, the man went away sorrowful for he had many possessions. His invitation is to every man and woman under the impossible labour of earning God’s favour through their obedience to the works of the law.
Take My Yoke and Rest
Our souls only find rest in hope. Every single motivational talk or life coach is trying to sell hope to the weary. But they are all false hopes for our souls for they only provide a brief distraction but they don’t bring rest. Our souls only find rest in God alone (Psalms 62:5-7). Many may ask if He has promised us rest, then why are we receiving a yoke? Is he giving us rest or work? The word yoke was used to represent a sense of servitude under the authority of a master. What work must we do for Jesus for us to receive our rest? Jesus answered this in John 6:29 “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.” Believing in Him and abiding in Him is the only work God requires of us. So if you are weary no matter how complex things are Jesus is inviting you to come. He will give you rest.
King James Version (KJV)
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
New International Version (NIV)
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
New American Bible (NASB)
“Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find [w]rest for your souls. For My yoke is comfortable, and My burden is light.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
The Living Bible (TLB)
“Come to me and I will give you rest—all of you who work so hard beneath a heavy yoke. Wear my yoke—for it fits perfectly—and let me teach you; for I am gentle and humble, and you shall find rest for your souls; for I give you only light burdens.”